Clearing The Air

Saturday, April 30, 2005

Go ahead caller....I'm listening.......

Friday 4/29 Minneapolis city council member Natalie Johnson Lee agreed to meet with approximately 100 Mpls. bar / restaurant owners and foodservice vendors to find out why anybody was still in business....."haven't you all closed your doors and found work in city government yet?"

Truthfully though, she was one of the few council members who was willing to hear of the plight of bar& restaurant establishments, after one month of a smoking ban; which collectively it is estimated have lost more than $1,000,000 in revenues (foodservice companies, Smokeeter distributors, liquor vendor losses not yet accounted for).

And I further, challenged her and the rest of the city council members to look into what organizations are funding nationwide smoking bans to the tune of tens of millions of dollars. Afterwards she asked me if I had a place she could readily find all that information, funny you should mention that, you could find all this information in the 20 various emails I've sent you, the other council members, county commissioners etc. over the span of the last 12 months.

She hasn't listened or read any emails over the last 12 months.........yeah......I'll hold my breath she's listening now. .............Hopefully, Attorney General Mike Hatch is listening though, I know in the past he has had a penchant for going after rogue agencies inappropriately lobbying our local politicians for smoking ban legislation, as well as pharmaceutical giants; with this scam he gets both in one investigation.

Hasta la vista beaner.........

What Arnold did was to praise the Minuteman for helping to stem illegal immigration into the country.......there's nothing racist about that.

However, some don't see it that way:......

The leader of a Mexican American group called the governor's comments "shameful" and "nothing short of base racism.""I think we're seeing the real Arnold Schwarzenegger. The mask has now fallen," said Nativo V. Lopez, state national president of the Mexican American Political Assn. "Those of immigrant stock should have no illusions about what his real sentiments and feelings are toward them."......

To which Arnold's administration responded:

.....Margita Thompson, the governor's press secretary, said: ..... As far as the charge of racism against the governor.... "It's not racist to ask the federal government to enforce its laws. Everyone should be united in wanting to protect our national security."

Seems to me Nativo Lopez has studied the tactics of Jesse Jackson and Johnny Cochran, to name a few.

Welcome to America Nativo, a legal immigrant I assume........you're a quick study.

Franken-weenie off the farm?

How ironic that the lefties whom claim to be the party of peace-loving...anti-gun rights....sit down with our enemies and sing kumbiyah....white wine and Brie crowd....dirt munching, tree hugging, druids; ......seem at the ready to incite violence because they....wah...wah won't get their way.

Move on george soros your open society is anything but open-minded and peaceful.

Wednesday, April 27, 2005

I propose an new phrase.......

....in our vernacular.

I was watching a rerun of Cheers the other evening and Frasier used a phrase to describe the liberal activists of his day which I think is more fitting than moonbat."....dirt munching, tree hugging, druid...."

I'm sure most of the M.O.B. members will stick with moonbat but I like Frasier's description, and in recent times since Kelsey Grammer has come out of the Hollywood "....dirt munching, tree hugging, druid...." closet and admitted he's a Republican he has gained more respect in my book.

Then again...Bob Davis of AM 1500 also has a great phrase I've used before, ".......the white wine and brie crowd....."

I have no idea.....

.......how this post eluded me. But then again I have been on the road selling & quoting Smokeeters to our Ramsey County (free to practice their private property rights, almost unfettered) bars & restaurants; so I have not been reading posts as regularly as usual.Westover's post cites this newswire story about a study in Canada on the financial devastation smoking bans have wrought on business owners.

The study was conducted by Michael Evans, Ph. D., one of North America's leading economists and a former advisor to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), NASA, U.S. Senate Finance Committee and the U.S. Treasury. Dr. Evans was also a Professor of Economics at the Kellogg Graduate School of Management. The world-renowned economist used Ontario Ministry of Finance sales and tax receipts data between 2000 and 2003 to ensure the veracity of his report. The study has been verified by Wade Cook, Ph. D, Associate Dean of Research, Schulich School of Business.Prof. Evans concluded, "Government data clearly demonstrates smoking bans materially reduce sales in bars and nightclubs. The evidence is quite clear. To suggest that smoking bans don't have a dramatic negative impact on bar sales would be an opinion - not fact."

Captain, I tip my hat to you sir, and beg forgiveness that I didn't take notice sooner.

Tuesday, April 26, 2005

Put 'em on a work detail......

I've always appreciated a good mob story, and you have to admire the organizational skills the familia has possessed. And at least the early organizations seemed to have a code of conduct that was almost gentleman-like, there were no drive-by shootings where 10 year olds were killed in the cross-fire..nobody was whacked without permission, etc..etc..not like teenage inner city thug gangs of modern times.

So I propose la cosa nostra become special forces in the war on terror, intelligence gathering, reconnaissance, terrorist body disposal, plausible deniability. And if any of you guys on the inside find work in the Middle East, I want a commission.......... Because a mobster is a terrible thing to waste. .......................................(just thinking out loud).

On the road again....

Today was spent on the road making sales calls to bars & restaurants up in the land of 10,000 lakes...it sure felt good. 4 Smokeeters sold to bars & restaurants protecting their private property rights......somewhere an anti-smoking activist is cashing his/her Nicoderm, Nicotrol paycheck...and crying....because there is still a Smokeeter air cleaner market.

Monday, April 25, 2005

We never said there was proof ......

I hear a spot every morning claminng 38,000 deaths a year from second-hand smoke.(R-five) .....radio spot you mention is not from the American Lung Association of Minnesota...(Bob from Am. Lung)

There is apparently a blogger and Nicoderm funded non-profit or two, which have their undies in a bunch over the secondhand smoke issue. It seems their delicate sensibilities have been offended by more than just secondhand smoke. The mere mention that bar & restaurant owners are experiencing huge losses of business due to the ban, even though non-profit after non-profit, and doctor after doctor assured county commissioners & city council members the smoking bans would not financially harm business; aggravates the hell out of them.

(overheard in non-profit boardroom)"........Uh..oh...if they find out we were wrong about the harm to business ....do you think they'll find out about our bogus research studies and how they were funded by Nicotrol & Nicoderm pharmaceutical companies? Damn St. Louis Park Environmental Health Dept...I told you they should have been put on the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation payroll."

Friday, April 22, 2005

How to raise a well adjusted child.....

According to LONDON (AFP) Young girls who enjoy classic romantic fairy tales like "Cinderella" and "Beauty and the Beast" are at greater risk of becoming victims of violent relationships in later life.

Not to say we told you so........

....but, we testified at every city council & county commission hearing the harm that would be done to local businesses . However, we didn't have the tens of millions of dollars the pharmaceutical companies provided to the non-profit health organizations for bogus research.

Hey non smokers, where are you? I am sure I heard you promise to come out and spend money in the bars and restaurants once the smoking ban was implemented. After just 2 weeks we already have several Minneapolis bars no longer open for lunch. Lost jobs as well as revenues. I have heard of one bar that has already laid off 10 employees after just 2 weeks. I have 3 employees leaving that I will not be replacing. Lets assume each of the 614 liquor licenses in Minneapolis laid off just one employee each. That is 614 jobs lost solely because of a smoking ban. Good thing too, since not as many people are looking for jobs in this business anymore. Potential employees know smoking bans decrease sales and tips. The "dip" in revenues range from 10% to 65% depending on the business. The same dip we were assured would not happen. Some businesses will not survive as they wait for their customers to trickle back, if they do. The same dip that the Mayor spent $400,000 in advertising trying to prevent. Sure wish he would have listened to the bar owners and hired more cops, we need them. So how about taking the family out to eat this weekend? Invite your friends too. Any bar or restaurant owner, and especially their staff, will be happy to have you.Sue JeffersStub and Herb's 612-384-4374

When one segment of a community is impacted negatively it affects the whole community; it may only be a few dollars, as an aggregate though, it adds up. And remember keep your chin up you're breathing "clean fresh air" in that empty bar / restaurant.

But now the twist...large pharmaceutical corporations thru their foundation counterparts, RWJF in this case, are behind the funding for implentation of government mandated smoking bans. Let's see..........large corporations profiting from the abusive government action on small businesses........where have I seen that before?New London?

Tuesday, April 19, 2005

Glass half empty........?

The Elder posts about his preference for the flat tax over a national sales tax because a bump up in sales tax might send consumers scurrying for their local black market (I'll have to get one of those franchises). But is he missing the glass is half full side of that scenario? Eliminating income tax means the guy making $50,000 salary, comes home with $50,000 not $35,000, he can spend $10,000 in sales tax on various purchases over the year and still come out ahead. And as a consumer with $15,000 extra in my pocket you think I'm not going to buy that big screen TV? Consumption of goods would dramatically increase, at least in my household.

Here's another great reason........tax revenues will increase, think of all the drug dealers, pimps, and other nefarious job descriptions where no taxes are paid.....national sales tax....voila the criminal element now becomes legitimate taxpayers. It is estimated....international illicit drug business generates as much as $400 billion in trade annually now some of that $400 billion will come back into the federal revenue coffers because of a national sales tax. Will there possibly be a black market for goods? Sure...there already is...but Walmart & Target still seem to be doing fine.

And finally the IRS will not be needed, there's $10.2 billion added back into the budget. Eliminate income tax goto a national sales tax instead...it's a win-win situation....unless you're a glass is half empty kind of guy.

Sunday, April 17, 2005

And now, for your educational entertainment......

Social Engineering Tragedy Productions presents South Park "Butt Out" (click to download now, .ram file realplayer on my system). It will download in the background no time clock or anything letting you know that it is working. While you're waiting for the full 22 minute feature, (it takes 120 seconds to download on high speed) feel free to rummage thru the attic reading your favorite rant about how idiotic and factually wrong the health Nazis are.

Speaking of which, does anybody remember that it was actually Hitler who engineered the first smoking ban in socialist Nazi Germany. Which reminds me, the next time the leftist pigs claim conservatives are brownshirt Nazis we need to re-educate our pseudo-intellectual moonbats that the Nazis were the party of socialist dogma which they themselves so dearly love, so if the brownshirt fits ...........it most likely belongs to a moonbat.

Anyway, I was reminded of the South Park episode when Token Female Blogger started reading South Park Conservatives this weekend, and since I can't read I decided to watch the anti-smoking episode again. ........So for those of you out there who also are too intellectually challenged to read....or just too lazy...let the conservative cartoon begin...( if your internet connection is slow you probably have time to visit the snack bar before the feature, and please remember to turn off all cell phones so that others may enjoy the film.)

The information and "studies" provided to our lawmakers by any of these organizations should be viewed as highly dubious at best, since it comes from the pharmaceutical nicotine interests which financially benefit after smoking bans are implemented.

Saturday, April 09, 2005

This reminds me of an ethnic joke........

........however the ethnicity has been deleted to protect the p.c.

How did the moron break his neck raking leaves?............he fell from the tree.

Does anyone else think that drilling a hole down to molten lava will bring about dire results for those near the drilling platform when the geyser hits. Hell why not make the challenge a little easier and begin drilling thru the lava dome at Mount St. Helens.

Friday, April 08, 2005

In "Garage Logic" this is known......

......as an end of the world.

A health Nazi with some common sense.

From the Fergus Falls Daily:

A vast majority of people would frequent establishments that are smoke-free more or to the same extent than those that allow smoking.........The study, according to Dr. Richard Rathge with the NDSUDC.......Rathge likened it to standards put on businesses by OSHA, public health standards for food and water and other regulations."You expect it with food. You expect it with water. Why not with air?" asked Rathge.(FullStory here)

Dr. Rathge is correct, why not apply OSHA standards to the air quality in bars & restaurants? ...............Funny you should mention that.

In 2004 city of St. Louis Park, MN. did just that, and in Feb. 05 we compared those results to OSHA's guidelines on secondhand smoke, here are the results....... http://fightcityhall.net/_wsn/page2.html

Remember what your parents & teachers said.......

.......never assume...it makes an "ass" out of "u" & "me".

I forgot that important lesson..... bloggers know what hyper link text is...it is our lifeline...our footnotes. I assumed everyone knew that different shaded or colored text meant, hey I should click here to get more of the story....apparently a lot of non-bloggers are not aware of hyper-link. I'll explain.

Some of you may know I am fighting the health Nazis and have a webpage www.fightcityhall.net to provide information to our legislators as well as to other parts of the country where such legislation is being discussed. Over the past year I've gotten the occasional email from a lawmaker, lobbyist, restaurant owner, or newspaper reporter asking "hey where can I get information on the St. Louis Park test results?"........response, uh..from the different colored text on the page which says "test results"

Is this really advanced knowledge? When you roll the cursor over that text and it changes color or adds an underline, doesn't that indicate that there may be something significant in that text.Am I a computer genius, who should be in an IT department somewhere instead of schlepping air cleaners, or am I just dealing with remedial internet users?

And Johnson and Johnson was still distributing Nicotrol pursuant to licensing agreement with Pharmacia, who owns patch and gum patents. Pharmacia was later acquire by Pfizer, which now distributes Nicotrol.

GlaxoSmithKline distributes Nicorette, NicoDerm CQ, Commit. But all the nicotine patches are manufactured by Alza Corp., a whooly owned subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson. And the American Cancer Societey is paid a fee by Glaxo for use of their seal.

In addition, note that Robert Wood Johnson Foundation has paid millions in grants to various American Cancer Society chapters, the very same American Cancer Society that then spends millions in our state MN ($600,000 in 2004 alone) lobbying our politicians for smoking bans so that Johnson & Johnson / Pharmacia can sell nicotine in an alternative form -Nicotrol, Nicoderm, etc. Conflict of interest? The "studies" and "information" supplied to our lawmakers by these various non-profit health organizations should be regarded as highly dubious at best

........just how far down does the rabbit hole go?..........we're still investigating....stay tuned.

In the mean time did you know S.L.P. Health Dept. tests show secondhand smoke in our bars & Restaurants is 150 times safer than OSHA regulations allow? How will the non-profit health organizations which receive their funding from the Nicotrol, Nicoderm manufacturers spin that fact? And should politicians who buy into those distorted "facts" be allowed to infringe on the private property rights of private businesses?

New moonbats in the belfry...

It seems there are new regular visitors to The Attic.....the comments on certain posts, shows that the health Nazis are familiar with computers and the internet, I wonder if they realize CRT tubes are a health risk?

to convince any more government officials there is a health hazard in secondhand smoke when even OSHA says that employees are safe.....(more so the customers, since their visit is far less than 8 hours.)

The non-smokers are already......

......not pulling their fair share.

Here Ann Berne-Rannow, from Eden Prairie in a letter in the strib writes.......gather a group of fellow nonsmokers, head to a bar or restaurant, and celebrate your right to breathe smoke-free air! Don't forget to keep going, too. ....

The problem of course is that the nanny activists don't frequent the bars, and urging their non-smoking friends ..Don't forget to keep going, too...only emphasizes the point all the more.

The non-smoking ordinance is going to bring new business to bars & restaurants, that's what all the doctors and pharmaceutical company spokesman testified at all the smoking ban hearings.

Here are some overnight results:

Happy Hour at Stub and Herb's- Day one of the smoking ban.30 of my 35 customers were smoke haters. This particular group of smoke haters told us they were from the American Lung Association and the Minnesota Department of Health. They ate half price appetizers and toasted the fresh air in the bar with their ice tea and water. One slipped my bartender a note saying "even if Stub and Herb's goes out of business, God will take care of him." My bartender received a dollar tip and wants to quit.Half of our regular Thursday lunch customers didn't come in for lunch and our band informed us they will be looking at St. Paul bars to play at. (see channel 9 news)Sue JeffersStub and Herb's612-384-4384

Join the crowd. We had twelve people in the bar during the day. Most were drinkers however. Sales were very low compared to our usual Thursday.American LegionBloomington, MN.

I walked into Liquor Lyle's in Uptown at 8:30 pm, anyone who knows this place knows it's normally packed with a young smoking crowd standing room only, 300-400+. There were less than 20 people there, I walked in the bouncer asked for my I.D., I first asked "can I smoke here?" he said "you can't smoke anywhere" to which I replied "ok I'm going to St. Paul".

Update: here's a musical ditty that bar & restaurant employees can practice..now that they have so much spare time...between pouring iced tea and iced water for the Brie crowd. What a genius move these ...non-smoking activists have eliminated alcoholic beverage consumption at the same time, what a sneaky way of resurrecting alcohol prohibition without bringing up the subject directly, they've saved us from ourselves.....again.

Of course this is going to exacerbate the social security issue since we'll all live for eternity.

I am speechless......

The OSHA parameters for acceptable limits of nicotine exposure is 0.0005 grams per cubic meter (g/cu.M.). St. Louis Park conducted an air quality study in 19 bars and restaurants and the median level of exposure was 0.0000033g/cu.M., roughly 150 times below the federally mandated level. (Full details of the study can be found at www.fightcityhall.net.)

A public health hazard has been the justification for mandating smoking bans, and that justification is, to say the least, highly dubious. Under these circumstances, violating the private property rights of business owners and the freedom to choose for their consumers is nothing more than the government's (and special interests') abuse of power.

Of course that local paper could only be the St. Paul Pioneer Press thanks to the likes of Mark Yost. The white wine sipping Brie sampling crowd at star & sickle would never publish dissent against socialist elite governance, fact of the matter is I never read the socialist rag it could be full of letters to the editor against the smoking ban; but it's a safe bet that's not the case.

I think the third letter down is a highly enlightened (I hate that word now..it will forever represent the socialist mindset to me) piece this individual must be a deep logical thinker, explains why the socialist local politicians wouldn't listen. Logic and facts have no use in the socialist reform movement going on in Minneapolis & Hennepin County government, you vill all be fitted vith birkenstocks, receive lifetime bus and train passes, and forced to move into one room 500 s.f. $800,000 condos in downtown Mpls., and you vill not dissent against the party thought.

Of course maybe it was some of the $600,000 dollars being thrown around by the Cancer Society at Hennepin County and Mpls., & Bloomington councils that bought our latest Gestapo ordinances.

Speaking of which......changing the political landscape that is....I was at an undisclosed location talking to the assistant chair of MN. GOP district #----, in between grinding puppies and ...gasp..say it ain't so....promoting freedom & private property rights, they are searching for candidates to help change the political winds of Mpls. city council & Hennepin county commission. If anyone knows of a slightly right of Stalin thinker let us know.

Now to go buy every copy of The St. Paul Pioneer Press I can find, cut out & frame that genius letter to the editor send one to mom, dad, aunt Marilyn.........I've been published, you like me..... you really do! Thank you folks ...I'll be signing autographs all week here. My editor for the piece Brian St. Paul Ward will be scouting for personal appearance locations.